Olive tree named ‘Lecciana’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Olea  plant named ‘Lecciana’, used primarily for oil production, which is characterized by the combination of a compact growth habit, uniform and continuous fruit production, high polyphenol content, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Olea europaea.

Variety denomination: The inventive cultivar of Olea disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘Lecciana’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The claimed plant was created in Barcelona, Spain in 1998 as a result of a planned breeding program. The purpose of the breeding program was to develop a low vigor variety with a suitable tree structure, adapted to a high-density production system. The claimed plant is the result of a cross between Olea europaea ‘Arbosana OLINT’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,598), the seed parent, and Olea europaea ‘Leccino’ (not patented), the pollen parent. The claimed plant was finally selected in 2016 and was given the name ‘Lecciana’. The new variety exhibits high productivity and precocity. Among other important traits, olive fruits are retained after reaching maturity allowing optimum mechanical harvesting with minimum loss.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘Lecciana’, by way of rooting semi-ligneous stem cuttings, was first performed during the summer of 2002 in Bari, Italy. Through 14 subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Lecciana’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Lecciana’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Lecciana’ as a new and distinct Olea europaea cultivar:

-   -   1. Olea ‘Lecciana’ exhibits a compact growth habit which         requires less pruning, making it suitable to growing in a         hedgerow for high density production; and     -   2. Olea ‘Lecciana’ exhibits less damage to stems and branches as         a result of mechanical harvesting; and     -   3. Olea ‘Lecciana’ exhibits improved cold hardiness; and     -   4. Olea ‘Lecciana’ exhibits precocious fruiting and a high fruit         yield; and     -   5. Olea ‘Lecciana’ exhibits high pulp consistency which reduces         damage from mechanical harvesting; and     -   6. Olea ‘Lecciana’ exhibits fruit which is retained after         reaching maturity allowing optimum mechanical harvesting with         minimum loss.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate ‘Lecciana’ with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary 3 year old ‘Lecciana’ tree during flowering; and

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary 6 year old ‘Lecciana’ tree; and

FIG. 3 shows the leaves of ‘Lecciana’; and

FIG. 4 shows the flowers of ‘Lecciana’; and

FIG. 5 shows flowers on the tree of ‘Lecciana’; and

FIG. 6 shows whole and cut fruits of ‘Lecciana’, as well as stones; and

FIG. 7 shows the fruit of ‘Lecciana’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of ‘Lecciana’. The data which defines these characteristics was collected in May of 2017 under natural daylight on plants produced by semi-ligneous cuttings carried out in Gridley, Calif. in the Sacramento Valley. The plants were grown under normal field conditions with drip irrigation. The age of the observed plant was 4 years.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘Lecciana’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color designations are presented with reference to the “Dictionary of Color” by A. Maerz and M. Rea Paul, Second Edition (1950).

A botanical description of ‘Lecciana’ and comparisons with the parent plants and most similar commercial Olea cultivar known to the inventor are provided below.

-   Tree:     -   -   Growth habit.—Evergreen tree.         -   Plant form.—Globular.         -   Average height from base to top of foliage.—Approximately             244 to 274 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 76 to 91 cm.         -   Plant vigor.—Medium low.         -   Propagation details.—Asexual propagation is accomplished by             rooting semi-ligneous stem cuttings.         -   Time to produce a fruit bearing tree.—3 years.         -   Chilling requirements.—Similar to that of other Olea             europaea varieties.         -   Productivity.—Production level is uniform, with very good             distribution through the branches, and good oil production.         -   Regularity of bearing fruit.—Regular.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Sensitivity             to olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae) is medium to low.             Otherwise, plants have not been observed to be notably             susceptible or resistant to pathogens and pests common to             Olea europaea.         -   Environmental tolerances.—USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10;             exhibits good resistance to low temperatures. -   Root system:     -   -   Rooting habit.—Dense, freely branching fibrous roots.         -   Distribution in the soil profile.—Shallow to moderately             deep.         -   Texture.—Smooth; glabrous.         -   Color, juvenile roots.—Mastic (13-E-5).         -   Color, older roots.—Meadowlark (15-E-7). -   Stems:     -   -   Branching habit.—Central trunk gives rise to a plurality of             main stems, themselves freely branching, and bearing             numerous lateral branches.         -   Trunk.—Size — 13 cm circumference at 33 cm above the soil             surface. Surface texture — Smooth. Color code — Wild Iris             (44-B-5).         -   Main stems.—Quantity — 3 to 5, depending on pruning             practices. Aspect — Upright and outward. Stem strength —             Flexible and strong. Cross-section — Rounded. Size — Small;             8 cm circumference at approximately 3 years of age. Surface             texture, juvenile stems — Smooth. Surface texture, mature             stems — Smooth with raised lenticels. Color, juvenile —             Light Grey (36-A-1). Color, mature (one year and older) —             Dusty Green (22-C-1). Lenticels — Abundant; 0.9 mm long and             0.4 mm wide; color is Prairie (13-F-6). Internode length —             Ranging from 3.0 to 10 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Abundance of lateral branches — Very             abundant; several hundred. Cross-section — Round. Length —             Ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 meters. Diameter — 1.0 cm. Internode             length on lateral branches — 1.0 to 3.0 cm. Texture — Smooth             with raised lenticels. Aspect — Outward. Strength — Flexible             and strong. Color, juvenile — (21-1-3). Color, mature —             Cerro Green (22-L-5). Pubescence — Glabrous. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 58 to 70 mm long and 8.5 to 11.5 mm             wide. Thickness — 1.5 to 2.0 mm. Shape — Elliptic to nearly             symmetrical. Aspect — Varying from slightly curled downward             to slightly curled upward. Apex — Acute. Base — Cuneate.             Margin — Entire; not undulated. Texture of adaxial surface —             Smooth. Texture of abaxial surface — Slightly pubescent.             Color — Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — (22-L-8).             Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface — (19-D-5). Mature             foliage, adaxial surface — Chrome Green (22-L-12). Mature             foliage, abaxial surface — Chrysolite Green (19-K-3).             Venation — Pattern — Pinnate. Color, adaxial surface —             (14-C-1). Color, abaxial surface — (20-G-3). Thickness — 1.0             mm.         -   Petiole.—Length — 2.0 mm. Diameter — 1.0 mm. Texture —             Smooth. Strength — Medium. Color — (12-1-1). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Type.—Panicle.         -   Natural flowering season.—Early May in Gridley, California.         -   Flowering habit.—Flowering once per year.         -   Inflorescence dimensions.—Ranging from 3.0 to 6.0 cm long             and 1.5 to 2.5 cm wide.         -   Inflorescence abundance.—Abundant.         -   Quantity of florets per inflorescence.—11 to 16.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — 3.0 to 6.0 cm long and 1.5 mm in             diameter. Texture — Smooth. Strength — Medium. Color —             Turtle Green (19-G-4).         -   Pedicels.—Dimensions — 1.0 to 4.0 mm long and 1.0 mm in             diameter. Texture — Smooth. Strength — Medium. Color — Reed             Green (19-D-2). -   Flower buds:     -   -   Bud shape.—Globular.         -   Bud dimensions.—2.5 to 4.0 mm long and 2.0 mm in diameter.         -   Bud color.—(18-B-2). -   Flower:     -   -   Flower type.—Perfect; simple.         -   Flower shape.—Cruciform.         -   Persistence.—Not persistent.         -   Flower aspect.—Erect to horizontal.         -   Fragrance.—Very mild fragrance.         -   Dimensions.—Approximately 3.0 to 6.0 mm in diameter and 2.0             to 3.0 mm tall.         -   Calyx.—Quantity of sepals — 4. Arrangement — Rotate; sepals             arranged in a single whorl. Diameter of calyx — 1.0 cm.             Sepals — Fused or unfused — Fused. Sepal dimensions — 1.0 mm             long and 1.0 mm wide. Shape — Bell shaped. Apex — Obtuse.             Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire. Texture — Smooth. Color             (upper side) — (18-A-1). Color (under side) — (18-A-1).         -   Petals.—Arrangement — Rotate; petals arranged in a single             whorl. Quantity — 4. Fused or unfused — Sympetalous; petals             fused at the proximal half of the corolla. Dimensions of the             free portion of petals — 2.0 mm. Shape — Acute. Apex —             Acute. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire; not undulated.             Texture — Smooth. Color when opening (upper side) — White             (1-A-1). Color when opening (under side) — White (1-A-1).             Color when fully opened (upper side) — White (1-A-1). Color             when fully opened (under side) — White (1-A-1). Color fading             to — Not fading. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen quantity — Two. Filament — Dimensions —             Approximately 0.75 mm. Color — (17-D-1). Anther — Anther             attachment — Basifixed. Anther shape — Hemispherical. Anther             size — 1.0 mm. Anther color — (17-L-1). Pollen — Abundance             of pollen — Abundant. Pollen color — Empire Yellow (9-K-3).         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil quantity — One. Stigma — Shape — Bifid             cone shape. Dimensions — Approximately 0.75 mm. Color —             Rivage Green (17-1-7). Style — Dimensions — Approximately             0.75 mm. Color — (17-D-4). Ovary — Position — Superior.             Shape — Round. Diameter — Approximately 0.75 mm. Color —             (18-K-11). -   Seed and fruit:     -   -   Fruit.—Date of maturity — Mid October in Gridley,             California. Size — Small. Weight — Approximately 3.5 grams.             Diameter — 16 mm, on average. Length — 23 mm, on average.             Form — Elliptical and slightly asymmetrical. Suture — None.             Stem cavity — Small. Stem — 4.5 mm, on average. Caliper —             Very small. Apex — Slightly rounded. Pistil point — Obscure.             Skin — Thickness — Less than 1 mm. Texture — Smooth.             Tendency to crack — None. Color — Ground color — Apple Green             (19-J-6). Flesh color — Oyster Gray (19-A-2). Color of             surface — Oyster Gray (19-A-2). Color of pit — Oyster Gray             (19-A-2). Juice production — Oil production excellent.             Flavor — Unique. Ripening — Even.         -   Stone.—Quantity — One. Shape — Elliptical, cross section is             round. Type — Cling. Fibers — None. Weight — Small, less             than 0.5 gram. Length — 15 mm. Width — 6 mm. Thickness —             6 mm. Apex — Pointed. Base — Ovate. Color (dry) — Grayish             brown (46-D-3). Texture — Slightly grooved. Mucron —             Obscure. Suture — Marked. Sides — About even. Ridges — Very             faint and uneven. Tendency to split — None known. Use — Oil             production. Harvesting — Mechanical harvesting, Mid October.             Oil — The oil yield is approximately 15% when the skin of             the fruit is mature. A chemical analysis of the oil is             provided in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 Isomeric Diacylglycerols 97.5% Polyphenols (total, as tyrosol) 330 mg/kg Pyropheophytines Less than 1%.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Lecciana’ may be distinguished from the pollen parent, Olea europaea ‘Arbosana OLINT’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,598), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘Lecciana’ ‘Arbosana OLINT’ Plant vigor. Medium low. Low. Ability to withstand Very good. Good. damage to fruit due to mechanical harvesting. Cold tolerance. Cold tolerant. Average tolerance to cold. Resistance to olive knot Tolerant. Average tolerance to olive disease. knot disease. Time of harvest. Mid October. Late October.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Lecciana’ may be distinguished from the seed parent, Olea europaea ‘Leccino’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Characteristic ‘Lecciana’ ‘Leccino’ Growth habit. Compact tree, growing to Tall tree, growing to approximately 244 to 274 approximately 600 cm tall. cm tall. Vigor. Medium low. Vigorous. Fruit size. Small. Medium.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST KNOWN COMMERCIAL VARIETY

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Lecciana’ may be distinguished from the commercial variety, Olea ‘Arbequina OLINT’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,600), by the characteristics described in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Characteristic ‘Lecciana’ ‘Arbequina OLINT’ Vigor. Medium low. Medium. Height of tree. Approximately 244 to Approximately 304 to 274 cm tall. 335 cm tall. Time of harvest. Mid October. First week of October. Ability to withstand Very good. Good. damage to fruit due to mechanical harvesting. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Olea plant named ‘Lecciana’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 